Enthusiasm Across U.S., but Initiatives Have Trouble Luring Money and Riders

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.—At offices, parks, intersections and a pedestrian bridge across the Tennessee River, people here can rent bicycles from solar-powered stations to zip around, using extra-low gears on steep streets.

But it has been a tough road since the Bike Chattanooga program began two summers ago. The initial funding of $2.1 million has been spent, revenue has fallen short, and the number of yearly memberships sold to frequent...